Dumb and Dumber

Question of gender in the air at Boeing
Ouster of CEO, while female executive stays, ignites fairness debate

By Susan Chandler
Chicago Tribune staff reporter

Published March 13, 2005

…..Boeing's sex scandal was timed perfectly for former Time Warner executive Robin Wolaner, who has written a book of business advice titled, "Naked in the Boardroom," set to hit bookstore shelves this month.

When she heard about it, Wolaner thought of her section on dating at work. Her advice, which she admits she didn't follow herself, is succinct: Don't do it.

"My immediate reaction was, `What was she thinking?"' Wolaner said. "I basically think the headline for the story here is `Dumb and Dumber.' She's dumb, and he is dumber."

Even so, Wolaner believes there is justification for treating Peabody differently from Stonecipher.

"I don't think she is as culpable as the CEO. He was the one who set the policies that he then violated," Wolaner said.

Stonecipher also is more to blame because he was brought into the company at a time of crisis to stabilize management after the resignation of two top executives and to reinforce the importance of ethics, she added.

For him to be caught in such a situation after a little more than a year raises serious questions about his commitment, she believes. "Where is his focus? How is he spending his time?"

Chicago Tribune